The Naval Air Systems Command is soliciting information from industry to  determine potential contractors who have the skills, experience,  qualifications, and knowledge required to successfully design, develop,  integrate, test, qualify, and produce a low cost replacement Container for the  All-Up-Round (AUR) Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW). The purpose of this Request  for Information (RFI) is to assess current industry experience, capabilities,  and interest in a full and open competition to satisfy the objectives  identified herein. NAVAIR intends to use the information provided in response  to this RFI to aid in refining its acquisition strategy, budgeting  assumptions, statement of work, and performance specification. This Sources Sought is the first of several future announcements advertising  this requirement. NAVAIR plans to issue a separate Sources Sought announcement  which will include the Government's draft contract and performance  specification. In addition, NAVAIR plans to host an Industry Day meeting. A  firm time/date will be announced at a later date. A competitive performance-based specification solicitation for the JSOW AUR  Container effort is anticipated for release in the 3rd quarter of FY08. A Best  Value source selection is planned with an anticipated  development/qualification contract award in FY09. The Government's solicitation will require the design, development,  integration, test, qualification, and production of a low cost replacement AUR  JSOW Container. Additionally, the Government will require the delivery of a  Technical Data Package (TDP) and Government Purpose License Rights (GPLR). The  Government anticipates this solicitation to result in the award of a Firm- Fixed-Price (FFP) contract for the qualification/FAT effort and also four (4)  FFP production options beginning as early as FY09. Objectives: The JSOW Container performance specification and statement of  work are currently under development; however, early draft specifications and  other related technical and programmatic documentation are available for your  review and comment. This program includes information that has been designated  as Distribution D and is only releasable to current and approved Department of  Defense (DoD) contractors. As such, they will not be posted with the RFP. To  obtain a copy of these documents, please contact Mr. John Antol at the email  address provided below with the name of your company, mailing address, phone  number, email address, and current CAGE number. RFI Content: Any written response to this RFI is requested to be limited to  no more than 25 pages. If the material provided contains proprietary  information, please mark and identify disposition instructions (submitted data  will not be returned). The response should include, but is not limited to, the  following: a) A one page company history description to include; Small Business  Administration (SBA) business size classification, major products, primary  customer base, statement on whether your interest in this sources sought is  for the purpose of becoming the prime contractor or to inquire about  subcontracting possibilities, and points of contact who are able to discuss  the material submitted. b) A description of the company's past experience and performance of container  development and production. This documentation shall address, at a minimum,  the following through prior/current experience demonstrating an understanding  of: (1) Weapon Shipping Container/Storage requirements, (2) design and  development; production design verification, first article and qualification  testing; Insensitive Munitions (IM) design and qualification requirements, (3)  planning, coordinating, and conducting tests to prove shipboard qualification  and container quality, and, (4) program management, integration,  manufacturing, logistics, and delivery of container hardware. c) Primary consideration is for a FFP contract for development/qualification  and production. A full and open competition is anticipated for this  acquisition utilizing the Best Value approach to select the most advantageous  offer based on both non-cost/price related factors as well as cost/price  factors. The Government anticipates evaluating the offers based on past  performance, technical, management, experience, and cost/price related  factors. These potential areas of interest are not listed in any order of  preference. In addition to comments in regard to the draft statement of work  and draft performance requirement, the Government welcomes any comments and  recommendations concerning contract type, evaluation criteria, and areas of  interest for the future solicitation. Industry input is solicited and will be  considered for an effective development/qualification contract incentive  program, considering cost, schedule, performance and/or other factors. d) Any other technical information the company deems necessary to aid the  government in making an informed assessment.  e) A JSOW Shipping Container Industry Day is being planned to coincide with  the draft RFP release in the Lexington Park, MD area. Potential prime  contractors and subcontractors are invited to attend. It is requested that you  indicate in your submission your interest in attending this Industry Day as  well as topics of interest that you would like to be addressed. Indicate how  many personnel representing the company you would like to attend the Industry  Day. Based on responses received to this RFI, the Government will make the final  determination for the Industry Day. The Government will determine if there are  any space constraints which could limit the number of personnel of interested  contractors/subcontractors from attending. Other comments and suggestions regarding the Government's course of action  and/or alternatives you may offer are encouraged and appreciated.  IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Registration in the DoD Central Contractor  Registration (CCR) database will be a prerequisite for receiving an award. For  more information on the CCR, refer to the CCR website at  http://ccr.gov/index.cfm. Submission Information: Written responses and comments to this RFI are  requested to be submitted no later than 4:00 PM (EST) on 15 January 2008 to:  Department of the Navy, Naval Air Systems Command, Attn: John Antol, AIR- 2.4.4.3.6, 47123 Buse Road, Unit IPT, Building 2272, Suite 453, Patuxent  River, MD 20670-1547, Attn: JSOW Low Cost Shipping Container. Electronic  responses are recommended and encouraged and should be submitted to each of  the following email addresses: 1. [Please use the link below], NAVAIR Contracts/AIR-2.4.4.3.6, telephone (301)757- 7046, and 2. Marianne.Martin@navy.mil, Program Executive Officer, Unmanned Aviation and  Strike Weapons (PEO(U&W)), Precision Strike Weapons Program Office/PMA-201JS1,  telephone (301)757-7437. Additional Information: There is no commitment by the Government to issue a  solicitation, make an award or awards, or to be responsible for any monies  expended by any interested parties in support of the effort mentioned above.  Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the  Government to solicit for or award a contract. If a solicitation is released  it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities website located at  http://www.fbo.gov/. For updates and additional information please refer to  the NAVAIR website at  http://www.navair.navy.mil/doing_business/open_solicitations. It is the  potential offeror's responsibility to monitor this site for the release of any  follow-on information.